Phase separator convertor and adjustable liquid feed and discharge means for centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices



3,292,850 QUID FEED Dec. 20, 1966 c. M. DOYLE PHASE SEFARATOR CONVERTOR AND ADJUSTABLE LI AND DISCHARGE MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL COUNTERCURRENT EXCHANGE DEVICES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25, 1966 lNl/ENTOR. COLL/N M DOYLE F IN Dec. 20, 1966 C. M. DOYLE PHASE SEPARA'IOR CONVER'I'OR AND ADJUSTABLE LIQUID FEED AND DISCHARGE MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL COUNTERCURRENT EXCHANGE DEVICES Filed April 25, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

COLL/N M. DOYLE PHASE SEPARATOR CONVERTOR AND ADJUSTABLE LIQUID N Bin '2 v IEHHH 9 IIHEIHII m nuilmu :5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. M. DOYLE EXCHANGE DEVICES AND DISCHARGE MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL COUNTERCURRENT Dec. 20, 1966 Filed April 25, 1966 m Fl] IIHIHEIE INVENTOR.

COLL/N M. DOYLE By Eli-P United States Patent 3,292,850 PHASE SEPARATOR CONVERTOR AND ADJUST- ABLE LIQUID FEED AND DISCHARGE MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL COUNTERCURRENT EX- CHANGE DEVICES Collin M. Doyle, 21 W. Elm St, Chicago, Ill. 60610 Filed Apr. 25, 1966, Ser. No. 544,971 19 Claims. (Cl. 23315) This invention relates generally to improvements in centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,217,980, issued November 16, 1965, and entitled, Centrifugal Countercurrent Exchange Device With Fully Adjustable Apertures, and United States Patent No. 3,114,706, issued December 17, 1963, and entitled, Centrifugal Countercurrent Exchange Device With Interchangeable Disc Columns.

More particularly, the invention relates to means for use in said device whereby the feed and discharge positions of the liquids, as well as the separation zones for the liquids may be readily adjusted. Moreover, the invention relates to means for readily converting the aforesaid devices to liquid phase separators. 1

This invention is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application entitled, Adjustable Liquid Feed and Discharge Means for Centrifugal Countercurrent Exchange Devices, filed August 6, 1963, Serial No. 300,252, now abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of my co-pending patent application entitled, Combination Phase Separator Convertor and Adjustable Liquid Inlet and Discharge Means for Centrifugal Countercurrent Exchange Devices, filed July 22, 1965, Serial No. 473,930. Actually, this application is a continuation of the combination of the aforementioned two co-pending earlier applications.

The aforementioned patents disclosed centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices of the type comprising a rotor having a plurality of radially spaced separator bands or walls positioned therein and defining a plurality of contacting chambers. Means were provided for introducing the high gravity or heavy liquid near the center of the rotor and the low gravity or lighter liquid near the periphery thereof. The heavy and lighter liquids traveled both co-currently and counter-currently in opposite radial directions through openings in the separator walls or in discs comprising portions of the separator walls and were brought into intimate mixing contact in the contacting chambers. The light separated liquid was then discharged at or near the center of the rotor while the heavier separated liquid was discharged at or near the periphery thereof.

The above described process is essentially a liquid extraction process wherein two or more liquids are first mixed intimately so that one of the liquids, which ordinarily comprises a solvent, extracts a component from the other liquid. Heretofore, the devices of the type described in the aforementioned patents were limited to conducting the above described extraction process involving two or more liquids.

It is, of course, also well known that centrifugal devices for separating a single liquid into two or more phases have heretofore been commonly used. However, each of the foregoing centrifugal devices have heretofore been limited to performing solely its respective function or process, i.e., extraction or phase separation.

It'is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide means for readily converting a liquid extraction centrifugal countercurrent exchange device to a centrifugal liquid phase separator device, so that a single device is capable of performing both processes.

Particularly, in the aforementioned Patent No. 3,217,980, there was described the various characteristics and relationships of the liquids which affect the practice of any liquid extraction process, and included among these characteristics are the following:

(1) The volumetric ratio of the liquids to each other;

(2) The difference in viscosity of the liquids;

(3) The miscibility or immiscibility of the liquids;

(4) The difference in surface tension of the liquids;

(5) The difference in specific gravity of the liquids;

(6) The tendency of the liquids to emulsify.

The last mentioned patent then detailed the importance of adjustable droplet dispersion as a means for controlling or providing for some or all of the listed factors.

Next in importance to the droplet dispersion of the liquids in any liquid extraction process, is the necessity of providing suitable separation zones for the liquids prior to their being discharged from the centrifugal rotor. It should be remembered that each complete stage in any liquid extraction process includes both a mixing and a separation phase. It is thus elementary that the efficacy of any liquid extraction process is dependent upon how completely the liquids separate after provision of clarification zones in which solids in the liquids could settle out before the liquids were discharged from the rotor have heretofore been considered. The importance of separation zones for the liquids apparently has not been heretofore fully appreciated or considered.

A separation zone may be defined as a non-working area of the rotor in which no mixing of the liquids occurs. Stated otherwise, it is an area in which either of the liquids is permitted to become more completely separated from the other liquid with which it had been previously brought into intimate contact. Typically, for example, a light liquid which has passed through the entire working area of the rotor will undesirably still have some of a heavier liquid mixed therewith or entrapped therein. However, if a suitable non-working area is provided, the operational centrifugal forces will tend to separate the entrapped liquid by propelling it radially outwardly once again. This will result, of course, in substantially pure light liquid being discharged from the rotor.

It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that the separation zone for a light liquid may comprise any rotor area spaced radially inwardly from the point of introduction of a heavier liquid. Similarly, the separation zone for the heavier liquid may comprise any rotor area spaced radially outwardly from the point of introduction of the light liquid.

The importance of being able to vary the points of introduction of both the light and heavier liquids may now be appreciated. As a result of variations in the abovelisted inherent characteristics from one liquid system to another, variable separation zones are necessarily required. Thus, for example, in the treatment of lubricating oil with sulphuric acid, the difference in spacific gravity of the liquids is considerable, and the ratio of light liquid (oil) to heavy liquid (sulphuric acid) is generally on the order of 109 to 1. In such a system, the separation zone required for the oil obviously would have to be much larger or deeper than the separation zone required for the sulphuric acid. On the other hand, in the treatment of penicillin fermented liquor with amyl acetate, the disparity in specific gravities is not so great, and the volumetric ratio of the liquids is on .the order of 5 to 1, so that the two separation zones should be more nearly the same in dimension.

Although means have heretofore been suggested for making adjustable only the solids clarification zones in a centrifugal rotor, even such means have been characterized 'by certain disadvantageous features and have been,

at best, only partially successful in accomplishing their objectives. Thus, for example, there have been provided relatively complex arrangements including rotatable sleeves and permanently welded tubes which afford, at most, very limited liquid inletvariation. Another suggestion involved the use of a plurality of removable and interchangeable tubes having bores of differing lengths therein. Not only was it difficult and time consuming to remove and re-insert those tubes, but complete adjustability for all possible inlet points in the rotor necessarily entailed the great expense and trouble of stocking a great many tubes.

It is therefore another important object of this invention to provide means for adjusting the input positions and separation zones of the liquids in centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices which overcomes all of the disadvantages described hereinabove.

Another object is to afford adjustable means of the character described which permits introduction of the light and heavy liquids, as well as of a third liquid where required, at points spanning the full radius of the rotor. The invention thus affords complete adjustability of, and control over, the liquid separation zones.

Still another object is to provide adjustable means of the character described which eliminates the need for auxiliary parts such as the described prior interchangeable tubes with bores of varying lengths.

In accordance with the invention, a liquid distribution tube extends from the axial shaft to the periphery of the rotor of the countercurrent exchange device. The tube includes a plurality of sets of longitudinally spaced openings formed therein. The openings of each set are spaced circumferentially around the tube. Removably positioned within the tube is a number of individual sleeves whose combined lengths are substantially equal to the tubes internal bore length. Only one of the sleeves is formed with a single circumferential group of openings. As the result of a novel geometric relationship between the sleeves and the tube, the sleeves may be selectively arranged so that the single perforated sleeve can be positioned in registry with any one set of the plurality of sets of openings in the tube, thereby making that set of openings the inlet position for the particular liquid being introduced. Similarly, the sleeves may be selectively arranged within a liquid distribution tube so that the perforated sleeve provides an outlet position for a particular liquidbeing discharged from the rotor. Furthermore, the perforated sleeve may be closed at one end to provide a device afiording the dual function of a column stopper and selector. Thus, when a closed-end sleeve is used as a selector sleeve and positioned in registry with any one of the sets of openings of the tube other than the outermost set thereof, the closed-end prevents the liquid from flowing throughout the entire length of the tube. Hence, with a closed-end selector sleeve, pressure imbalance and hydraulic problems are often avoided. However, when the closed-end sleeve is positioned within the liquid distribution tube in an inverted position with the closed-end thereof facing the rotor axial shaft, the closedend sleeve acts exclusively as a column stopper and prevents the flow of liquid through the tube. Thus, if the liquid flow through one of two liquid inlet tubes is blocked, the exchange device is converted to a phase separator for a single liquid.

A further object of the invention is to afford adjustable means of the character described which is adaptable to function as discharge means for removing the liquids amyl acetate is the lighter of the liquids. However, when i the penicillin liquor is treated with chloroform, the liquor becomes the lighter liquid. Such a process change-would normally require that all of the piping carrying the liquids to the device be reversed; not so with the subject device.

Still another object is to provide adjustable means of i the character described which permits ready and accurate compensations for changes in liquid throughput. For

example, where the throughput is changed from 500 gal-= lons per minute to gallons per minute there is a corresponding loss of liquid momentum or mixing force,;

the liquid feed and discharge means which is so designed that it may be readily positioned within the liquid inlet distribution tube to shut off or stop the admission of liquid into the rotor; thereby readily converting the ex-.

change device from a dual liquid inlet device to a single liquid inlet device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described,

illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and 1 minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention. a 1

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, 1 have illustrated in the accompanying draw ings preferred embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, assembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectionalview of a centrifugal countercurrent exchange device incorporating therein a phase separator convertor and adjustable liquid feed and discharge means embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the column stopper and selector sleeve;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 33 in FIG. 2 and viewed in the direction indicated;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the column stopper and selector sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an liquid inlet and outlet selector sleeve;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the alternate type plane of the line 6-6 in FIG. I, viewed in the direction operationally positioned, and showing fragments of the axial shaft and peripheral rotor walls;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the liquid distribution tube shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the combination of FIG. 7, but showing only fragments of the tube;

FIG. 10 is an elevat-i-onal view, partially in section, of one of the i-nsertable sleeves;

FIG. 11 is a partially sectional view of one of the gasket members;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an assembly of two of the adjacent insertable sleeves and the gasket therebetween;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken on the plane of the line 1313 of FIG. 7 of the drawings and viewed in the direction indicated;

FIG. =14 is an elevational view of the assembled combination having a schematic representation tied in therewith illustrating all of the liquid inlet and/ or discharge positions obtainable by various arrangements of the sleeves and column stopper within the tube; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a closed-end sleeve inverted from the position shown in FIG. 9 when functioning exclusively as a column stopper.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the reference numeral indicates generally a centrifugal countercurrent exchange device in which in incorporated the phase separator convertor and the adjustable liquid [feed and discharge means of the invention. Since the basic device 10 is generally of the type described in the aforementioned patents, or well known in the prior art, and does not per se comprise the specific subject matter of the invention, only so much thereof as is necessary for an understanding of the subject invention will be described in detail. The device .10 thus comprises an axial shaft .12 j-ournalled for rotation in a suitable supporting structure. A drum or rotor designated generally by reference numeral 14 is rigidly connected to the shaft 12 for rotation therewith.

Suitable passageways such as 16 and 18 are provided in the shaft 12 for respectively supplying the heavier liquid to the central area of the rotor 14 and removing the light separated liquid therefrom. Similarly, suitable passageways such as 20 and 22 are provided for respectively supplying the light liquid under pressure to the peripheral area of the drum 14 and removing the heavier separated liquid therefrom.

The drum 14 comprises a cylindrical outer wall 24 and a pair of end plates 26, 2'6. Permanently mounted between the end plates 26 is a plurality of separator walls or bands 28 which define a plurality of liquid contacting chambers which may be arranged either concentrically or as a continuous spiral, in the well-known manner. The spacing between the bands 28 may vary as desired, although it is preferred that such spacing increase as the radii of the bands increase, or at least be uniform (as illustrated). The bands 28 may be formed with a plurality of perforations therethrongh or, with adjustable apertures as described in the aforementioned patents. In any event, apertures are provided in the bands through which the liquids may pass as .they travel in opposite directions through the rotor.

The separator bands 28 are likewise provided with a plurality of larger holes which are aligned and arranged to afford a plurality 'of'radially extending cavities 30. Each of the cavities 30 is adapted to removably accommodate therein a novel phase separator convertor and adjustable liquid deed and discharge means indicated generally by the reference numeral 33 (FIGS. 1 and 7).

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the means 33 comprises a distribution tube 34 having an internal bore 36 (FIGS. 7 and 1-3). The tube 34 terminates at one end thereof in a reduced diameter portion 38, thereby 'aflordin-g an internal shoulder 40. The extreme end 42 of the tube adjacent the reduced diameter portion 38 may be externally screw threaded as indicated for cooperation with a suitable internally threaded hole such as 43 formed in the rotor shaft 12 and in communication with one of the liquid passageways .16, .18, 20 or 22. In FIG. 7, hole 43 is shown communicating with passageway 16. Formed in the walls of the tube 34 is a plurality of spaced liquid inlet or discharge openings 44 arranged in longitudinal rows extending over the length of the tube and each opening of the row being separated by a web such as 46. The rows of openings 44 may be arranged circumferentially around the tube as desired, although I prefer .to have :tour equally spaced rows separated again by longitudinal webs such as 48 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). It will thus be appreciated that the tube 34 is provided with openings over substantially the full length thereof, and that liquid flowing out of the inlet openings 44 at any given point will advantageously be distributed into the rotor 16 through a full 360 arc. In the latter regard, the edges defining the tube openings 44 may be bevelled or flared outwardly as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to provide the desired spray characteristics for the liquids being introduced. It should also be appreciated that the spacing of the openings one from the other may vary in accordance with the size of the rotor and the spacing of the bands thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 a plurality of sleeves 50,

52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 is removably associated with tube 1 based upon the same geometric principles.

34. The sleeves are of substantially identical dimension with the tube bore 36 and thus may be slideably inserted therein. All the sleeves except sleeve 50 are solid-walled or imperforate. The number of sleeves varies in accordance with the number of liquid inlet or outlet position-s or openings 44 which are formed in a longitudinal row in the tube 34. Thus, for tube 34 in FIG. 7, there are fifteen (15) inlet openings or positions 44 in the tube 34 so that six (6) sleeves 50, 52, '53, 54, 55 and 56 are required, in accordance with the geometric principles upon which the invention is based. However, the shorter liquid distribution tube 34 in FIG. 1 having twelve (12) inlet posit-ions, only four (4) sleeves would be required Moreover, for an even smaller counterourrent device employing still a shorter tube 34 only three (3) sleeves would be required based upon the same geometric principle. Of course, these comparisons of the number of sleeves are made with regard to liquid distribution tubes having identically sized openings and web spacing between openmgs.

As aforementioned and shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, five of the six sleeves 52, 53', 54, 55 and 56 are solid-walled or imperforated. Only the sleeve 50 is provided with a group of circumferentiall spaced openings 58. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, sleeve 50 is open at one end and closed at the other end by a top wall 59 and functions in the position shown in FIG. 7 as a combination selector and column stopper sleeve, as will be more fully explained further in the description. The perforated sleeve 50' shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 which is opened at both ends may be substituted for column stopper and selector sleeve 50, but would serve exclusively as a selector sleeve.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the selector and column stopper sleeve 50 is a short sleeve in comparison to the other sleeves and dimensioned so that it is only slightly longer then the diameter of one of the tube inlet openings 44. Selector sleeve 50 is formed with four openings 58, formed in spaced relationship circumferentially therearound. Preferably selector openings 58 are elliptical and slightly larger in diameter than the tube openings 54. Each selector opening 58 is separated by a longitudinal web 60 of preferably minimum width so that if the same would happen to be positioned in the tube openings 44 it will obstruct a minimum area thereof. The top wall 59 may be formed with an upstanding tab 78 centrally apertured as at 80 the purpose of which will become apparent as the description proceeds. It will further be appreciated that any one of the plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of tube openings 44 will be substantially unobstructed when the selector openings 58 of the selector sleeve 50 are in mere radial alignment therewith. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to precisely position or rotate the selector or column stopper to circumferentially register the selector openings 58 thereof with the set of circumferentially spaced openings 44 of the tube. This would also be the case if the selector sleeve 50 (FIGS. and 6) was used. Note, that selector openings 58of selector sleeve 50 are shown formed elongated, but may have any other suitable shape.

The number of sleeves may vary in accordance with the number of longitudinally spaced sets of openings 44 formed in the tube 42. Thus in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, tube 34 having fifteen (15) sets of longitudinally spaced openings 44 requires five (5 imperforate sleeves and the selector and column stopper sleeve 50 or selector sleeve 50 in accordance with the geometric principles upon which the invention is based, to provide fifteen (15) radially spaced liquid rotor inlet or outlet positions. Of course, as above pointed out, the shorter tube in FIG. 1 would require a lesser number of sleeves based upon the same geometric formula.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, it will be noted that each sleeve 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56' as well as the selector and/ or column stopper sleeve 50 is formed with reduced diameter top and bottom portions 82 connected to the outer wall of the sleeve by inclined walls such as 84. Thus, when two adjoining sleeves such as 52 and 54 are positioned in abutting relationship as shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings, the inclined surfaces 84 and the reduced diameter sleeve portions 82 combine to afford a groove with slanted walls. This groove is dimensioned to receive therein a complementarily shaped gasket 86 which in turn provides a leakproof fitting.

To complete the assembly and to maintain the same in proper position, a sealing plug 88 is provided. The plug 88 may comprise an enlarged head portion 90 which may be externally screw threaded and provided with a tool engaging recess or slot 92. Integrally formed with the head 90, is a first reduced diameter portion 94 which affords an annular shoulder 96 therebetween. For the purpose of operationally positioning the plug 88, the outer wall 24 of the rotor 18 is formed with a suitable internally threaded access hole 98.

A second reduced diameter portion 100 is formed at the lower end of the first reduced diameter portion 94 and the free end thereof contacts the reduced diameter end of the outermost sleeve when the plug 88 is operationally positioned in the access hole 98 of the rotor to form a groove similar to the gasket accommodating structure of the sleeve, and for the same purpose a suitable gasket 86 is inserted therearound. As shown, plug 88 includes a bore 108 to accommodate the apertured tab 78 when the column stopper and selector sleeve 50 is in the outermost position of the distribution tube 42. Thus, it should be appreciated that the entire assembly of the means 33 when the same functions as an adjustable liquid feed and discharge means is locked together in liquid tight relationship except for the particular aligned tube openings 44 and selector openings 58 of the column stopper and selector sleeve 50 or of the selector sleeve 50' which of course, provide the liquids inlets and/or discharge openings for the rotor. The bearing pressure of the plug 88 against the outwardly protruding edge of the outermost sleeve together with the gasket 86 insure a perfect liquid-tight seal. Incidentally and preferably the gaskets may be made of the long-wearing Teflon material.

The complete adjustability of the liquid feed and discharge means 33 may now be appreciated by referring to the various figures of the drawings, particularly FIG. 7. It will be seen that the openings 58 in the selector and column stopper 50 may be selectively positioned in radial alignment with any of the fifteen longitudinally positioned liquid inlet openings 44 by simple manipulation and rearrangement of the five imperforate sleeves 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 and the perforated closed-end selector sleeve 50. The complete adjustability within the full radius of the rotor 14 is governed by the novel geometric relationship between the imperforate sleeves, the closed-, 1

end selector sleeve and the distribution tube 34.5

In order to facilitate the manipulation of the sleeves, each of them may be provided with a cross wire such as.

102 (see FIGS. 5, 8 and 10). This cross wire 102 may be readily engaged by any hooked instrument when it is desired to remove the sleeve from the tube. The aperture in the tab 78 of the selector and column'stopper 50 1 serves a similar purpose and likewise may be readily engaged by an simple hooked instrument. Note, however, in FIGS. 5 and 6 that selector sleeve 50' includes a cross I wire 102. The tubes 34 may be further provided with. notches such as 104 at the free ends thereof for engage ment by a suitable tool when it is desired to unscrew and remove the tube from the rotor.

Means 33 shall now be described when functioning as an adjustable inlet and dishcarge means for centrifugal.

counter current exchange devices without considering its For example, as-

other functions as a phase separator. suming a liquid system in which penicillin fermented liquor is treated with amyl acetate, the penicillin liquor being the heavy liquid would be piped in through passage 1-6 and the liquid inlet of the tube 34 communicating therewith could be set at the proper position, as for ex-. ample, position 5 as represented in FIG. 12. The lighter liquid, i.e., the amyl acetate would be introduced through the light liquid passage 20, and the liquid inlet of the tube 34 communicating therewith could be set at its proper position, as for example, number 13. Of course, it should be readily understood that the liquid inlet positions are readily achieved by merely positioning the closeended column stopper or inlet selector 50 and arranging the other sleeves in the tube to achieve said selected position. If the open-ended selector sleeve 50' were used,

the same sleeve arrangement would be required.

If it is desired to change the process of substituting a more selective solvent, as for example, chloroform, for the amyl acetate, the adjustment is readily accomplished by simply changing the inlet of the penicillin liquor to a suitable position as for example, position number 10. The chloroform may continue to be piped in through the same passage as was the amyl acetate, but the inlet position thereof would be changed to a more suitable position as for example, number-6 (see FIG. 12).

any complex piping changes as was heretofore necessary. In asimilar manner, itwill be appreciated that the novel means 33 may likewise function as a discharge outlet for the heavier liquid. Thus, for example, the

tube 33 communicating with the liquid outlet passage 32 1 may have its selector 50 or 50' set at one of the positions whereby the outlet is positioned adjacent the periphi by yirtue of the novel structure of the column stopper or inlet selector 50 and especially the fact that the top thereof is closed by the wall '72, the efficiency of the exchange function is improved. Thus, when the selector 70 is positioned in any position other than the outermost position '(position 15, 'FIG. 14) it assures that all of the liquid flows out of the selector opening 58 at the pre-selected position without requiring the entire tube to be filled with the liquid before the same begins to flow out of the selector sleeve opening. For example, if the selector is used as a liquid feed means and is positioned adjacent the shaft (position 1 or 2 as seen in FIG. 14) the liquid pressure head would force the liquid to fill It; will thus be noted, that the functions of the passages 16 i and 20 have simply been reversed 'by merely changing the positions of the inlet selector and without requiring the entire tube 34 before the liquid would begin to flow out of the selector opening '58, were it not for the selector top wall 59 preventing such flow.

When it is desired to convert the exchange device to a phase separator, the closed-end column stopper 50 is positioned in one of the liquid distribution tubes 42 so that the top wall 59 thereof is faced inwardly towards the shaft. Hence, if the closed-end sleeve 50 is inverted from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 15, the flow of liquids through means 33 is cutoff and the device 10 may now function as a phase separator for a single liquid. This of course, cuts ofi or prevents any liquid from reaching the selector opening 58 which in turn prevents its flowing out through any of the tube inlet or discharge openings 44. Thus, either of the liquid inlet passages 16 or 20 may be blocked or shut off in the above described manner so that only one liquid is fed into the device. The centrifugal action of the device 10, of course, then separates the single liquid into two or more phases with the light phase flowing out through the light liquid discharge passage 18 and the heavier phase being discharged through the heavier liquid discharge passage 22. Again the inlet and discharge points for both the light and heavier phases may be adjusted in the same manner as described hereinabove by merely properly positioning the selector sleeve 50 in the proper liquid distribution tube 34. Thus, if the selector sleeve 50 is positioned in one of the liquid discharge tubes 34 near the periphery of the rotor, as for example, in one of the positions 13, 14 or as illustrated in FIG. 14 and placed to function as a liquid discharge selector sleeve, the heavier phase liquid is discharged through the selected peripheral discharge openings entering the tube near the periphery and then being conducted through the discharge means 33 to the heavier liquid discharge passage 22.

From the foregoing description :and drawings, it should be apparent that I have provided a novel phase separator convertor and adjustable liquid inlet and/or discharge means for centrifugal counter-current exchange devices which renders such devices more universallyadaptable for all liquid extraction processes as well as phase separation processes than was heretofore possible. The geometric relationship of a minimal number of imperforate sleeves cooperating with .a selector sleeve 50, and a perforated distribution tube, permits the liquid inlet and/ or discharge position to be speedily and simply adjusted as required over the [full radius of the bands in the rotor. Moreover, the use of a closed-end selector sleeve limits the flow of liquid through the adjustable liquid feed and discharge means to the distance between the axial shaft and the position of liquid inlet or liquid discharge from the rotor. Furthermore, the closed-end sleeve 50 affords means by simply inverting the same from its liquid inlet or discharge functional position, for readily converting a liquid extraction centrifugal countercurrent exchange device, to a centrifugal phase separator device thereby enabling a single device to be used for either process as desired. Moreover, the means may likewise be used to introduce a third liquid at any desired point between the heavy and lighter liquids should this be required in any specific method or process. The component members of the device are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, simple in construction, virtually indestructible :and capable of being assembled in substantially liquidtight relationship.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Adjustable liquid feed and discharge means for centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices of the character described comprising a liquid feed tube having a plurality of longitudinally spaced inlet openings formed therein, a plurality of sleeves slidably and rotatably fitted in end-to-end relationship within said tube, one of said sleeves having a selector opening formed therein, said sleeves being arraugea'ble so that said selector opening may be selectively positioned in registry with any one of said inlet openings, and removable closure means operationally retaining said sleeves within said tube.

2. A liquid feed and discharge means, as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of said sleeves are of varying length, so that by repositioning said sleeves in said tube a minimal number of said sleeves may be utilized to bring said selector opening into registry with any one of said inlet openings.

3. A liquid feed and discharge means, as defined in claim 1, said tube being formed with four circumferentially spaced rows of said inlet openings, said one of said sleeves being formed with four circum ferentially spaced selector openings.

'4. A liquid feed and discharge means, as defined in claim 1, wherein the marginal edges of said inlet openings are bevelled outwardly for enlarging the spray patterns of liquids passing through.

5. A liquid feed and discharge means, as defined in claim 1, said sleeves having tool-engageable means secured to the inner surface thereof for facilitating removal of said sleeves from said tubes.

6. A liquid feed and discharge means, as defined in claim 5, said tool-engageable means being a hookengageable fine cross wire.

7. A liquid feed and discharge means, as defined in claim 6, said hook-engageable wire being secured to the inner walls of each of said sleeves and extending transversely across the inner diameter of each of said sleeves.

S. A liquid teed and discharge means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve having the selector opening formed therein is closed at one end.

9. A liquid feed and discharge means as claimed in claim 8, wherein a top wall is the closure for said closedend sleeve and an .apertured tab extends upward from said top wall.

10. A liquid feed and discharge means as claimed in claim 8, wherein all of said sleeves except the closed-end sleeve are imperforate and at least some are multiples in length of others.

11. A liquid feed and discharge means as claimed in claim 8, wherein said closed-end sleeve is positioned inside said liquid feed tube in either an upright or an inverted position, said closed-end sleeve being placed in said inverted position to prevent the flow of liquid through said liquid feed and discharge means.

12. The liquid feed and discharge means as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gasket is positionable between each pair of sleeves and at the outer edges of both outermost sleeves to insure a liquid tight relationship of the entire assembly of sleeves and said tube.

13. The liquid feed and discharge means as claimed in claim 12, wherein each of said sleeves comprises reduced outer diameter top and bottom ends, said gasket being positioned within the groove formed by the abutting contact of the reduced diameter ends of two adjoining sleeves when said sleeves are in said end-to-end relationship.

14. The means as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reduced outer diameter top and bottom ends are inclined, the smallest diameter of said reduced diameter top and bottom ends being at the extreme free edges thereof.

15. In a centrifugal countercurrent exchange device including a cylindrical rotor having a central shaft, a plurality of radially spaced separator bands positioned 11 o in said rotor, said bands being formed with holes arranged to afiord a plurality of radially extending cavities, and passageways in said shaft 'for introducing light and heavy liquids into said rotor and for removing said liquids therefrom; the herein improvement comprising: liquid feed means positioned through said cavities and communicating with said passageways, said liquid feed means including, an elongated liquid distribution tube having a plurality of longitudinally spaced inlet openings formed therein and a plurality of tubular sleeves slida'bly and rotatably fitted in end-to-end relationship within said tube, one of said sleeves having a selector opening formed therein, said sleeves being arrangeable so that said selector opening may be selectively positioned in registry with any one of said inlet openings and removable closure means operationally retaining said sleeves within said tube. a

16. In the centrifugal countercurrent exchange device of claim 15, wherein said rotor outer wall is provided with a plurality of access ports one in alignment with each of the said distribution tubes, said removable closure means including a closure plug is removably positioned in each of said ports and cooperating to retain said sleeves in operational position within said distributon tubes.

17. In the centrifugal countercurrent exchange device .as claimed in claim 15, wherein said sleeve having the selector opening therein is closed at one end, said imperforate sleeves and said closed-end sleeve being arrangeable so that the selector opening may be selectively positioned in registry with any one of said inlet openings, said closed-end sleeve being positionable in an upright position whereby the closed-end is nearer the periphery of the rotor than the shaft to afford a liquid feed or liquid discharge means, said closed-end sleeve being positionable 12 r i in an inverted position whereby the closed-end is nearer the shaft than the rotor to prevent the flowing ofliquid through the distribution tube and thereby permitting said exchange device to be converted to a liquid phase separator for a single liquid.

18. In the centrifugal countercurrent exchange device:

claimed in claim 15, wherein said distribution tube includes rows of longitudinally spacedopenings formed therein, said sleeves comprise a plurality of imperforate sleeves and a sleeve having a plurality of said openings circumferentially spaced, said imperforate sleeves and said perforated sleeve cooperate to selectively align the selector opening with any one of the rows of openings of the dis tribution tube.

19. Means for variably controlling the admission and.

discharge of liquids to and from centrifugal countercurrent exchange devices comprising: a liquid distribution tube having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings formed therein, a plurality of sleeves fitted in end-to-end relationship within said tube, one of said sleeves having at least one, selector opening formed therein, said sleeves bei-ng arrangeable to selectively position said selector opening in registry with any one of said inlet openings;

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 359,567 3/1887 I-Ieyne 137577 XR 1,219,265 3/1917 Denhard l37577 XR 2,608,993 9/ 1952 Andrews 137-577 2,656,846 10/1953 Anderson 137-270 XR- 3,050,238 8/1962 Doyle et al. 233-15 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

H. T. KLINKSIEK, Assistant Examiner. 

1. ADJUSTABLE LIQUID FEED AND DISCHARGE MEANS FOR CENTRIFUGAL COUNTERCURRENT EXCHANGE DEVICES OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED COMPRISING A LIQUID FEED TUBE HAVING A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INLET OPENINGS FORMED THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF SLEEVES SLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY FITTED IN END-TO-END RELATIONSHIP WITHIN SAID TUBE, ONE OF SAID SLEEVES HAVING A SELECTOR OPENING FORMING THEREIN, SAID 